1. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC)

This certification program is designed for housing counselors and housing professionals pursuing an emerging level of housing counseling skills for clients. This course equips new housing counselors with basic tools and techniques for housing counseling, adhering to code of conduct and ethics, identifying resources and referral opportunities, case management plans for credit and financial management; and comprehending fair housing laws. Exam required.

Prerequisite for CHC Certification: Three to six months of experience as a Housing Counselor.

Recommended within 6 – 12 months of employment.

2. Homeownership Counseling Comprehensive Certification (HCCC)

This certification program is designed for housing counselors and housing professionals pursuing an intermediate level of housing counseling training skills by providing one-on-one pre-purchase counseling to clients. This course provides the key fundamentals, best practices, and techniques for working with first-time homebuyers. The training components will address the core competencies in preparing clients for homeownership, budgeting and credit management, financing a home, selecting a home, maintaining a home, sustaining homeownership, and avoiding delinquency and foreclosure. Additional webinar training & exam required.

Prerequisite for HCCC Certification: Six months of experience as a Housing Counselor.

Recommended within 18 months of employment.

3. Housing Specialist – Rental Counseling Certification (HSRCC)

This certification program is designed for housing counselors and housing professionals pursuing an advanced level of housing counseling training skills by providing key fundamentals for rental housing programs and resources to clients. This course provides key components that will address core competencies in preparing clients to search for rental housing, types of rental housing, fair housing, key provisions in the VA Landlord Tenant Act, reasonable accommodations/modifications, public housing, tenant based subsidies, project based subsidies, and rental delinquencies. Additional webinar training & exam required.

Prerequisite for HSRCC Certification: Two years of experience as a Housing Counselor. Candidate must be a VAHC Certified Housing Counselor and provide two professional references.

4. Housing Specialist – Homeless Counseling Certification (HSHCC)

This certification program is designed for housing counselors and housing professionals pursuing an advanced level of housing counseling training skills by providing key fundamentals for homeless housing programs and resources to clients. This course provides key components that will address core competencies in the history of homelessness, overview of a best practice homeless system, outreach and engagement, coordinated assessment, prevention and diversion, emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, and the role of transitional housing. Additional webinar training & exam required.

Prerequisite for HSHCC Certification: Two years of experience as a Housing Counselor. Candidate must be a VAHC Certified Housing Counselor and provide two professional references.